Bad diets ‘kill more people than smoking’

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Over-consumption of salt and under-consumption of whole grains, fruits and vegetables could be resulting in millions of deaths around the world, according to new research published in the Lancet. The research, led by scientists at the University of Washington, said that poor diets are responsible for more deaths every year than any other risk factor, including cigarettes. The report adds to a growing body of evidence that the way we eat is unsustainable—for our own health and for that of the planet.

A commission created last year by the Eat Forum and the Lancet set out an ideal diet that combines a balance of nutrition with planetary impact. The diet is notably high in proteins from legumes, pulses and nuts and low in red meat, dairy and added sugars. In reality, few nations’ diets measure up.

Source: EAT-Lancet Commission

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